U.S. patent application number 15/370377 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-23 for tools and methods for treatment of pelvic conditions.
The applicant listed for this patent is Astora Women's Health, LLC. Invention is credited to James A. Alexander, Patricia M. Derus, Scott S. Jeutter, Chaouki A. Khamis, Gary A. Rocheleau, Steven G. Rockow.
Application Number | 20170079765 15/370377 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47108073 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170079765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alexander; James A. ; et
al. |
March 23, 2017 |
TOOLS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF PELVIC CONDITIONS
Abstract
A tool for driving a helical anchor into a target location, the
tool including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the
proximal portion having a handle and an actuator, and a shaft
extending distally from the proximal portion, the shaft comprising
an outer shaft and an inner rotating shaft that is at least
partially concentrically positioned within the outer shaft, the
shaft having a length that facilitates accessing a location of a
posterior pelvic region, wherein the inner rotating shaft is
actuated by movement of the actuator in a predetermined motion.
Inventors: |
Alexander; James A.;
(Excelsior, MN) ; Khamis; Chaouki A.; (Los Gatos,
CA) ; Derus; Patricia M.; (Rogers, MN) ;
Jeutter; Scott S.; (Richfield, MN) ; Rocheleau; Gary
A.; (Maple Grove, MN) ; Rockow; Steven G.;
(Coon Rapids, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Astora Women's Health, LLC |
Eden Prairie |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47108073 |
Appl. No.: |
15/370377 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14115239 |
Dec 5, 2013 |
9510825 |
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PCT/US2012/036633 |
May 4, 2012 |
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15370377 |
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61482911 |
May 5, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/00424
20130101; A61B 2017/0647 20130101; A61B 2017/2911 20130101; A61B
2017/00398 20130101; A61B 2017/0649 20130101; A61B 17/068 20130101;
A61B 17/0642 20130101; A61B 2017/2913 20130101; A61F 2/0045
20130101; A61F 2002/0072 20130101; A61B 17/064 20130101; A61B
2017/00805 20130101; A61F 2/0063 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/00 20060101
A61F002/00; A61B 17/068 20060101 A61B017/068; A61B 17/064 20060101
A61B017/064 |
Claims
1. A tool for driving a helical anchor into a target location, the
tool comprising: a proximal portion and a distal portion, the
proximal portion comprising a handle and an actuator, wherein the
actuator is proximally and distally moveable relative to the
handle; a torsion spring housing having an inner opening; a
rotating shaft at least partially extending from the torsion spring
housing in a distal direction, and a torsion spring positioned
within the torsion spring housing distal to the handle, the torsion
spring operatively connected to the rotating shaft and the
actuator; wherein rotation of the rotating shaft is initiated by
movement of the actuator relative to the handle.
2-11. (canceled)
12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft is actuated by
movement of the actuator in a proximal direction relative to the
handle.
13. The tool of claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft comprises a
length that facilitates accessing a location of a posterior pelvic
region.
14. The tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to
unlock the tool for actuation and allow a coil to drive the helical
anchor.
15. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a plunger operatively
connected to the actuator and the torsion spring so that as the
plunger is pulled, a coil that is operatively connected to the
torsion spring will drive the helical anchor toward the target
location.
16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the amount that the plunger is
pulled will provide a torque that corresponds with a number of
revolutions of the rotating shaft needed to drive the helical
anchor to a desired depth within the target location.
17. The tool of claim 1, wherein the target location comprises
tissue.
18. The tool of claim 1, wherein the target location comprises
bone.
19. The tool of claim 1 in combination with the helical anchor,
wherein movement of the actuator toward the handle actuates the
rotating shaft to rotate the helical anchor a predetermined number
of rotations to cause the helical anchor to be driven into the
target location.
20. The tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a
trigger.
21. The tool of claim 1, wherein the helical anchor comprises a
head having a surface and a helical portion extending from the
surface, wherein the helical portion comprises a longitudinal axis,
a length along the longitudinal axis, and a diameter perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis, wherein the head comprises a diameter
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the diameter of
the helical portion is less than the diameter of the head.
22. The tool of claim 21, wherein the helical portion comprises
barbs capable of inhibiting movement in a direction that is reverse
of a direction used to screw the helical anchor into a target
location
23. The tool of claim 1, in combination with a mesh implant.
24. The tool of claim 1 wherein the rotating shaft has a length
sufficient to allow a user to grasp and manipulate the proximal
portion as the rotating shaft is placed at a location of a
posterior pelvic region.
25. The tool of claim 1 comprising an anti-reverse rotation
mechanism capable of preventing the helical anchor from being
backed out of a target location.
26. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a motor to increase a
torque to drive the helical anchor into a target location.
27. The tool of claim 26, wherein the motor comprises a friction
damper to control a speed of rotation.
28. A method of performing a sacral colpopexy, the method
comprising: providing the tool according to claim 1; providing an
implant comprising an anterior end and a posterior end; placing the
anterior end of the implant in contact with vaginal tissue in a
region of a vaginal apex; placing the posterior end of the implant
at a component of sacral anatomy; and driving the helical anchor
into the target location with the tool to secure the posterior end
of the implant at the component of sacral anatomy.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the posterior end of the
implant comprises the helical anchor and the component of sacral
anatomy comprises an anterior longitudinal ligament.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the posterior end of the
implant comprises the helical anchor and the component of sacral
anatomy comprises a sacrospinous ligament.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/482,911,
filed May 5, 2011 and titled "Tools and Methods for Treatment of
Pelvic Conditions", which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to tools and related methods
for treating pelvic conditions by use of a pelvic implant to
support pelvic tissue. The pelvic treatments can include, for
example, treatment of vaginal prolapse by laparoscopic, abdominal,
and transvaginal procedures.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pelvic health for men and women is a medical area of
increasing importance, at least in part due to an aging population.
Examples of common pelvic ailments include incontinence (e.g.,
fecal and urinary), pelvic tissue prolapse (e.g., female vaginal
prolapse), and conditions that affect the pelvic floor. Pelvic
disorders such as these can result from weakness or damage to
normal pelvic support systems. Common etiologies include
childbearing, removal of the uterus, connective tissue defects,
prolonged heavy physical labor and postmenopausal atrophy.
[0004] In more particularity, pelvic floor disorders include
cystocele, rectocele, and prolapse such as anal, uterine, and
vaginal vault prolapse. Vaginal vault prolapse is a condition that
occurs when the upper portion of the vagina loses its normal shape
and moves downwardly into the vaginal canal. In its severest forms,
vaginal vault prolapse can result in the distension of the vaginal
apex outside of the vagina. Vaginal vault prolapse may occur alone,
such as can be caused by weakness of the pelvic and vaginal tissues
and muscles, or can be associated with a rectocele, cystocele
and/or enterocele. A rectocele is caused by a weakening or
stretching of tissues and muscles that hold the rectum in place,
which can result in the rectum moving from its usual location to a
position where it presses against the back wall of the vagina. A
cystocele is a hernia of the bladder, usually into the vagina and
introitus. An enterocele is a vaginal hernia in which the
peritoneal sac containing a portion of the small bowel extends into
the rectovaginal space. All of these conditions can represent
challenging forms of pelvic disorders for surgeons to treat, which
treatment procedures can involve relatively lengthy surgical
procedure times. Some of these treatments include, for example,
abdominal sacralcolpopexy (SCP), which may be performed
laparoscopically, and transvaginal sacralcolpopexy (TSCP), wherein
these procedures are performed using a variety of different
instruments, implants, and surgical methods. It is known to repair
vaginal vault prolapse by suturing the vaginal vault (e.g., by
stitches) to the supraspinous ligament or by attaching the vaginal
vault through mesh or fascia to the sacrum.
[0005] There is ongoing need in obtaining improved, e.g., minimally
invasive, safe, and highly effective, methods for treating pelvic
conditions including incontinence, vaginal prolapse (e.g., vaginal
vault prolapse), and other pelvic organ prolapse conditions.
SUMMARY
[0006] Tools, systems, and methods as described herein can be used
to treat pelvic conditions such as incontinence (various forms such
as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge
incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse
(including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele,
apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other
conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, hysterectomies,
and the like. In accordance with the invention, sacral colpopexy
installation procedures can be performed through an abdominal
opening, laparoscopically, or transvaginally, which procedures will
require different approaches, each of which can use certain
embodiments of devices and methods of the invention
[0007] In a sacral colpopexy procedure it is desirable to simplify
the procedure so the surgeon is not overwhelmed. One aspect of
certain sacral colpopexy procedures is to place a fixation element
(anchor such as a bone anchor or soft tissue anchor) into tissue of
a posterior pelvic region, to secure an implant to the tissue. This
aspect of the procedure requires a surgeon to place a tissue anchor
at a location deep inside of a posterior pelvic region. The working
space is small, as is the fixation element, and proper placement is
important to safety and effectiveness of the surgery. Devices
described herein provide methods for placing a fixation element
(e.g., a helical anchor) by methods that improve safety,
simplicity, and certainty. Useful features of these drivers
include, for example, an elongate shaft that can reach a posterior
pelvic region to place a helical anchor; optionally the ability to
operate the tool with one hand; and generally improved control of
placement, location, and depth of a helical anchor.
[0008] Certain embodiments relate generally to fixation or
attachment devices ("anchors") and related methods for placing a
pelvic mesh implant, and methods for treating pelvic conditions
such as incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence,
stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence,
etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as
enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine
descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament
weakness. Embodiments of the implants can include a tissue support
portion and one or more anchors, arms and the like. In addition,
disclosed are combination devices (implants, tools, and anchors,
etc.) and related methods useful for anterior or posterior prolapse
repair with other treatments for pelvic floor disorders such as
urinary incontinence, pelvic floor decent (levator avulsion),
and/or sacral fixation. Exemplary levator ani support devices can
be introduced through a vaginal incision to tie in with
conventional transvaginal mesh repairs and other applications, or
can he introduced abdominally (e.g., laparoscopically).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will be further explained with
reference to the appended Figures, wherein like structure is
referred to by like numerals throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an anchor
insertion tool, in accordance with the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the anchor insertion tool of
FIG. 1 with a side cover removed;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the anchor insertion tool of FIG. 1
with a side cover removed;
[0013] FIG. 4 is another side view of the anchor insertion tool of
FIG. 1 with a side cover removed,
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of an anchor
insertion tool, in accordance with the invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the anchor insertion tool of FIG. 5
with a side cover removed;
[0016] FIG. 7 is another side view of the anchor insertion tool of
FIG. 5 with a side cover removed;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of an anchor
insertion tool, in accordance with the invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a is a side view of the anchor insertion tool of
FIG. 8 with a side cover removed;
[0019] FIG. 10 is another side view of the anchor insertion tool of
FIG. 8 with a side cover removed;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of an anchor
insertion tool, in accordance with the invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective top view of an anchor member that
can be used with anchor insertion tools of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of an anchor
insertion tool, in accordance with the invention;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anchor
insertion tool, in accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anchor
insertion tool, in accordance with the invention;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of an anchor member that
can be used with anchor insertion tools of the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 17 includes a side view and a top view of an anchor
member that can be used with anchor insertion tools of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The methods and tools as described can be useful in
procedures for supporting vaginal tissue, including but not limited
to sacral colpopexy procedures (e.g., transvaginal, laparoscopic,
and abdominal), along with procedures for treating vaginal vault
prolapse caused by rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, and other
causes. A sacral colpopexy is a procedure for providing vaginal
vault suspension, which can be accomplished with the use of an
implant, such as a strip of mesh or other material that attaches to
posterior vaginal tissue (e.g., a vaginal cuff) to a region or
component of sacral anatomy such as the sacrum (bone itself), a
nearby sacrospinous ligament, uterosacral ligament, or anterior
longitudinal ligament at the sacral promontory, such as may be
accomplished using bone screws or anchors that are implanted into
the sacrum. An implant such as a synthetic mesh can be carefully
customized or assembled into a special shape by the surgeon. In
some sacral colpopexy procedures that also involve a hysterectomy,
an implant can alternatively be attached to posterior vaginal
tissue that remains after removal of the uterus and cervix, and
also to anatomy to support the vaginal tissue at or around the
sacrum, such as to uterosacral ligaments or to the sacrum itself
(i.e., to a component of the sacral anatomy).
[0028] Many of the implants discussed herein include the use of an
anchor, as will be described in further detail relative to the
present invention. As used herein, the term "anchor" refers
non-specifically to any structure that can connect an implant to
tissue of a pelvic region. The tissue may be bone or a soft tissue
such as a muscle, fascia, ligament, tendon, or the like. Certain
methods, implants, and anchors of the present description
incorporate a helical anchor such as a screw or coil that can be
inserted (e.g., driven) into tissue, preferably soft tissue such as
an anterior longitudinal ligament, by rotating about a longitudinal
axis upon which the helical anchor advances into the tissue in a
longitudinal direction. Other methods may include an anchor in the
form of a "self-fixating tip," which can be inserted by pushing the
anchor using a straight or curved needle.
[0029] An embodiment of the invention is directed generally to
surgical instruments, assemblies, and implantable articles for
treating pelvic floor disorders such as various forms of prolapse.
According to embodiments described herein, a surgical implant can
be used to treat a pelvic condition, including the specific
examples of surgically placing a surgical implant to treat a pelvic
condition such as vaginal vault prolapse. Described herein are
various features of surgical implants, surgical tools, surgical
systems, surgical kits, and surgical methods useful for installing
implants.
[0030] One embodiment of an implant that can be used to treat such
pelvic disorders is an implant that includes a tissue support
portion used to support pelvic tissue such as vaginal tissue, along
with one or more extension portions. During use, the tissue support
portion can be placed in contact with and attached to tissue to be
supported, such as through the use of sutures. An implant of this
type can additionally include one or more extension portions
attached to the tissue support portion. Optionally a tissue
fastener (e.g., a soft tissue anchor or self-fixating tip) can be
included at an end of an extension portion, with the tissue
fastener and extension portion(s) being designed to attach to
tissue in the pelvic region to secure the distal end of the
extension portion to the tissue.
[0031] The tissue support portion of the above-described implant is
designed to support a specific portion of vaginal tissue (anterior,
posterior, apical, etc.), depending on the defect that is to be
corrected. The tissue support portion can be sized and shaped to
contact the desired tissue when installed (e.g., as a "sling" or
"hammock), to contact and support vaginal tissue. A tissue support
portion that is located between two or more extension portions may
be refereed to as a "central support portion" or a "support
portion." The tissue support portion may comprise a number of
different materials, such as tissue (e.g., porcine tissue), mesh,
or other materials or combinations of materials.
[0032] Extension portion(s) of the above-described implant can be
elongate pieces of material that extend from the tissue support
portion and are useful to pass through or attach to tissue of the
pelvic region to thereby provide support for the tissue support
portion and the supported tissue. Extension portions are elongate
pieces of material (e.g., mesh, suture, or biologic material) that
extend from the tissue support portion and either are or can be
connected to the tissue support portion, and are useful to attach
to anatomical features or "supportive tissue" in the pelvic region
(e.g., using a self-fixating tip or another form of tissue
fastener) to thereby provide support for the tissue support portion
and the supported tissue. One or more extension portions can extend
from a tissue support portion for attachment to tissue in the
pelvic region, such as by extending through a tissue path to an
internal anchoring point (for attachment by bone anchor, tissue
fastener, etc.), or to an external incision.
[0033] An extension portion piece can be connected at one end by an
anchor (e.g., a self-fixating tip or a helical anchor) to tissue of
a pelvic region, such as at a component of sacral anatomy. A second
end of the extension portion piece can be connected by way of an
adjusting engagement, to the support portion piece. The adjusting
engagement may include a frictional engagement element such as a
grommet, a one-way or a two-way frictional adjusting element, or
the like. The support portion piece, in turn, can contact and
support tissue, such as vaginal tissue, in treating vaginal
prolapse.
[0034] Exemplary implants can be made of materials and may be
generally shaped and sized according to previous implants, but
modified to include features as described herein, such as a
frictional adjusting element, multi-piece construction, a
multi-layer tissue support portion, etc. For example an implant can
have features as described in the following exemplary documents:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/834,943, filed Apr. 30, 2004;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/306,179, filed Nov. 27, 2002;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/347,063, filed Feb. 3, 2006;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/347,596, filed Feb. 3, 2006;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/347,553, filed Feb. 3, 2006;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/347,047, filed Feb. 3, 2006;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/346,750, filed Feb. 3, 2006;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/398,368, filed Apr. 5, 2005;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/243,802, filed Oct. 5, 2005;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,646, filed May 7, 2004; and
International Patent Application No. PCT/U.S.2006/028828, having an
International Filing Date of Jul. 25, 2006; the entireties of each
of these disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.
Exemplary implants can be made of materials and exhibit general
size and shape features that might be similar to those sold
commercially by American Medical Systems, Inc., of Minnetonka
Minn., under the trade names "Apogee", "Perigee", and "Elevate" for
use in treating pelvic prolapse (including vaginal vault prolapse,
cystocele, enterocele, etc.). In addition, these implants can
include portions or sections that are synthetic and/or made of
biological material (e.g., porcine, cadaveric, etc.). Extension
portions, which may be made of a single piece of material or of
multiple pieces of material, may be a synthetic mesh, such as a
polypropylene mesh, while the tissue support portion may be
synthetic (e.g., a polypropylene mesh) or biologic.
[0035] Types of exemplary implants that can be generally useful as
discussed herein can include those previously and currently used in
treating pelvic conditions, including those implants referred to as
"slings," "strips," "mesh strips," "hammocks," among other terms
for pelvic implants. Particular examples of implants for treating
vaginal prolapse can include a central support portion and from two
to four to six extension portions, and may take the form of an
integral piece of mesh or multiple pieces of mesh attached in a
modular fashion. See, e.g., Assignee's copending U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 11/398,369; 10/834,943; 11/243,802;
10/840,646; PCT/2006/028828; among others.
[0036] Another embodiment of an implant that can be used to treat
certain pelvic disorders in accordance with the invention is an
implant that includes a preassembled implantable article, which can
reduce challenges faced by a surgeon by eliminating the need to
create a customized implantable article for surgical procedures.
One particular embodiment is an implant that is preassembled into a
Y-shape that includes a base portion and a head portion, wherein
the head portion comprises first and second tissue engagement
portions, each of which extends from the base portion. The first
and second tissue engagement portions can be secured to the base
portion using a wide variety of configurations and materials, such
as using a configuration that distributes forces that would
otherwise tend to separate one or both of the tissue engagement
portions from the base portion. Such a configuration may include
the use of biocompatible materials such as tissue adhesives, tissue
sealants, biocompatible bonding agents (e.g. silicone), and
biocompatible adhesives. Alternatively, RF or ultrasonic welding or
heat sealing may be used alone or in conjunction with other
techniques to create a separation force distribution means.
[0037] In an embodiment of a preassembled implant, the implant can
include a plurality of pores that afford tissue ingrowth and resist
infection, and can include a backing that is coated. The backing
material may include one or more woven, knitted or inter-linked
filaments or fibers that form multiple fiber junctions, and/or may
include monofilament and multi-filament embodiments. The fiber
junctions may be formed via weaving, bonding, ultrasonic welding,
knitting or other junction forming techniques, including
combinations thereof. In addition, the size of the resultant
openings or pores of the implantable article should be sufficient
to allow tissue in-growth and fixation within surrounding
tissue.
[0038] The preassembled implant may be made of a variety of
materials including, but not limited to, Prolene.TM., nylon,
polypropylene, Deklene.TM., poly-L-lactide (PLLA), polyethylene
glycol (PGA), polyester and any combination of materials. Depending
on the desired treatment, the implant or portions thereof, may be
absorbable, non-absorbable and/or resorbable. Non-synthetic
structures are also included within the scope of the invention.
Other synthetic and non-synthetic materials suitable for use for
the implants include, but are not limited to, synthetic
biomaterials, allografts, homografts, heterografts, autologous
tissues, materials disclosed in U.S. Provisional Applications Ser.
No. 60/263,472, Ser. No. 60/281,350 and Ser. No. 60/295,068 (the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), synthetic
materials (such as metallics, polymerics, and plastics) and any
combination of such materials. Specific examples of suitable
synthetic materials that can be used include, but are not limited
to, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, nylon, PLLA and PGA.
The material can generally be selected from materials that cause
minimal to no reaction with body tissues and fluids and that will
retain its particular material characteristics/properties
indefinitely or for a predetermined length of time. Portions or all
of the material may be resorbable if consistent with the desired
surgical procedure.
[0039] Dimensions of any of the implants of the invention can be as
are determined to be useful for any particular installation
procedure, treatment, patient anatomy, and to support a specific
tissue or type of tissue. Exemplary dimensions can be sufficient to
allow the tissue support portion to contact tissue to be supported,
and to allow extension portions to extend from the tissue support
portion to a desired anatomical location to allow the extension
portion to be secured to or pass through tissue of the pelvic
region and support the tissue support portion.
[0040] A distal end of an extension portion, according to
embodiments of the invention, can include a tissue fastener that
attaches to tissue of the pelvic region. The tissue fastener can
be, e.g., a soft tissue anchor, a self-fixating tip, a biologic
adhesive, a tissue clamp, opposing male and female connector
elements that securely engage when pushed together, or any other
device to secure a distal end of an extension portion to tissue of
the pelvic region. The implant may also have extension portions
that do not include a tissue fastener at a distal end of an
extension portion, for example if the distal end is designed to be
secured to tissue by other methods (e.g., suturing), or is intended
to pass through an external incision. During installation of the
implant, the tissue fastener can be secured to any desired tissue,
for example fibrous tissue such as a muscle, a ligament and/or its
surrounding tissue, or a tendon and/or its surrounding tissue; or
tissue at or near the ischial spine.
[0041] In an exemplary implantation procedure for an implant that
includes a tissue portion and one or more extension members, a
portion of the implant, such as an extension portion, can be placed
at and passed through soft support tissue of the pelvic region, to
lead and pass the extension portion through the soft support
tissue. The soft support tissue can be any tissue desired or useful
to which to attach an extension portion, for example any of the
following: muscle tissue of an obturator foramen (e.g., obturator
internus muscle), tissue of an arcus tendineus or surrounding an
arcus tendineus, tissue of a sacrospinous ligament, tissue in a
region of a sacrospinous ligament, tissue of a coccyx region,
tissue of a region of an ischial spine, tissue of coccygeous
muscle, tissue of iliococcygeous muscle, tissue of a uterosacral
ligament, tissue of levator muscle, or combinations of these.
Tissue in a "region" of an ischial spine can be tissue that is
within one centimeter of an ischial spine, including tissue of the
levator ani muscle (e.g., iliococcygeous muscle) and arcus
tendineus.
[0042] When placing an extension portion through soft support
tissue, embodiments of the invention can lead the extension portion
into the a surface of soft support tissue at an insertion location,
pass the extension portion through a mass of one or more types of
soft support tissue, then exit the soft support tissue at an exit
location on the surface of soft support tissue. The insertion
location and the exit location can both be located at surfaces of a
single side of tissue, generally at surfaces on the side of the
tissue that can be accessed within the pelvic region, e.g., from a
perineal incision, a vaginal incision, or an abdominal incision. In
other words, the extension portion enters on one side of tissue
(generally on the side within the pelvic region), passes laterally
or "tunnels" through a length of soft support tissue, then exits in
the direction substantially opposite of the direction of insertion,
returning into the pelvic region. The extension portion does not
traverse soft support tissue by entering into one side of tissue,
traversing the thickness of the tissue, and exiting the other
side.
[0043] According to certain embodiments, the insertion and exit
locations, at tissue surfaces on the same side of tissue, can be at
surfaces of the same tissue, e.g., if both of the insertion and
exit locations are located at surfaces of the same muscle,
ligament, or tendon. For example, the extension portion enters soft
support tissue at a surface on one side of coccygeus muscle; the
extension portion passes laterally through a length of coccygeus
muscle, e.g., tunneling sideways or laterally through the muscle;
and the extension portion then exits the coccygeus muscle through
an exit location at a surface on the same side of the muscle as the
insertion location. Alternately, the extension portion can enter
soft support tissue at a surface on one side an obturator internus
muscle; the extension portion can pass laterally through obturator
internus muscle, e.g., tunneling sideways or laterally through the
muscle; and the extension portion can then exit the obturator
internus muscle through an exit location at a surface on the same
side of the obturator internus muscle as the insertion
location.
[0044] According to other embodiments of the invention, the exit
location and the insertion location can be located on nearby,
adjacent, or proximate locations of nearby or neighboring tissues,
e.g., adjacent surface of different muscle, ligament, tendon, or
combinations of these. For example, the extension portion can enter
soft support tissue at a surface on one side of coccygeus muscle;
the extension portion can pass through the coccygeus muscle, e.g.,
tunneling sideways or laterally through the muscle and to a
location behind a sacrospinous ligament; the extension portion can
then exit the at a surface of the sacrospinous ligament through an
exit location on the side of the ligament that is adjacent to the
insertion location on the coccygeus muscle.
[0045] Another example of a location for attaching an end of an
extension portion is at a tissue path that passes through, or
terminates at, a coccyx region as described in Applicant's
copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/398,368, filed Apr.
5, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
That application describes the use of an implant to treat vaginal
prolapse (e.g., vault prolapse, enterocele, cystocele, rectocele)
using an implant that includes a tissue support portion and
extension portions, wherein extension portions are passed through a
tissue path that includes a region of the coccyx bone (i.e., a
"coccyx region" or a "transcoccyx" tissue path).
[0046] Exemplary methods involve placement of a support member to
support prolapsed tissue, including placement of an extension
portion of the support member at coccyx region, proximal to the
coccyx bone, e.g., attached to or extending through muscle (e.g.,
ischiococcygeous muscle, iliococcygeous muscle), or ligament
(sacrospinous ligament) lateral to the coccyx bone. Exemplary
tissue paths can initiate from a region surrounding vaginal vault
tissue and can extend past the rectum to a location proximal to the
coccyx bone. An extension portion of the support member can
generally be guided through such a passage prepared in muscle or
other tissue, past the rectum, proximal to the coccyx bone, and
attached to tissue internally in this region. A distal end of an
extension portion can attach to any tissue of the coccyx region,
such as with a tissue fastener securing a distal end of extension
portion to muscle or ligament (e.g., sacrospinous ligament) in the
coccyx region. Alternately, the distal end of extension portion can
extend through tissue of the coccyx region and to an external
incision of the epidermis.
[0047] As used herein, the term "anchor" refers non-specifically to
any structure that can connect an implant to tissue of a pelvic
region. The tissue may be bone, or a soft tissue such as a muscle,
fascia, ligament, tendon, or the like, Preferred methods, implants,
and anchors of the present description incorporate a helical anchor
such as a screw or coil that can be inserted (e.g., driven) into
tissue, preferably soft tissue such as an anterior longitudinal
ligament, by rotating about a longitudinal axis upon which the
helical anchor advances into the tissue in a longitudinal
direction.
[0048] Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments and
views of tools (e.g., "drivers," or "insertion tools") are shown
for use in methods for treating pelvic conditions. Various portions
of a tool can be constructed of polymer materials, metal, or other
biocompatible or acceptable surgical apparatus materials.
[0049] Embodiments of insertion tools (or "drivers") can include a
proximal end having a handle and an actuator, trigger, or both. The
proximal end of the tool, e.g., the handle, is attached to a
proximal end of a shaft, which includes an outer shaft (e.g., a
hollow tube or sheath), and an inner rotating shaft. The outer
shaft extends to a distal shaft end, and the inner rotating shaft
extends to the distal shaft end. The length of the shaft (including
the outer shaft and the inner rotating shaft) is sufficient to
allow a user to grasp and manipulate the proximal end (e.g., at the
handle and actuator), as the shaft is placed at a location of a
posterior pelvic region, e.g., to place the distal shaft end at a
location for placing an anchor at a component of sacral anatomy,
such as an anterior longitudinal ligament at a sacral promontory.
Exemplary lengths between a proximal and a distal end of a shaft
may be in the range from 10 to 30 centimeters (e.g., from 13 to 18
centimeters), especially for use in a female patient to access a
posterior location of a pelvic region such as a region of sacral
anatomy.
[0050] The shaft includes a longitudinal axis, and a distal end or
"tip." The tip is capable of engaging and holding (for
manipulation) a helical anchor for insertion (e.g., through a
vaginal incision) to a location of a posterior pelvic region where
the helical anchor can be fastened to tissue. The helical anchor
includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being
capable of engaging with the shaft, and the distal end being
capable of being placed in contact with tissue. With the proximal
end of the anchor engaged at the tip, and the distal end of the
anchor in contact with tissue, the inner rotating shaft can be
rotated along its longitudinal axis, causing the helical anchor to
rotate around a co-linear longitudinal axis of the helical anchor.
The distal end of the helical anchor advances into the tissue upon
such rotation.
[0051] The proximal end of the tool includes an engagement between
the actuator and the proximal end of the inner rotating shaft, the
engagement being capable of causing the inner rotating shaft to
rotate upon movement of the actuator. In certain specific
embodiments the engagement is capable of translating linear or
curved-linear motion of the actuator into rotational movement of
the inner rotating shaft. As the actuator is moved to cause
rotational movement of the inner rotating shaft, a helical anchor
engaged with the inner rotating shaft at the distal end of the
inner rotating shaft rotates along a longitudinal axis in a manner
that allows the anchor to be rotationally advanced (e.g., driven)
into tissue.
[0052] Referring more specifically to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a side
view of a exemplary embodiment of an insertion tool or "driver."
Driver 10 includes proximal portion 12, which includes a handle 14,
an actuator 17, and a trigger 16. A shaft 24 extends from an end 20
of proximal portion 12, wherein the shaft 24 comprises a proximal
shaft end 22, a distal end 26, and tip 28. An exemplary helical
anchor 30 is shown as being positioned for engagement with tip 28.
The length of shaft 24 is sufficient to allow a user to grasp and
manipulate handle 14 with shaft 24 and to thereby place distal
shaft end 26, tip 28, and helical anchor 30 at a desired location,
such as at a location of a posterior pelvic region (e.g., to place
the distal shaft end at a location for placing helical anchor 30 at
a component of sacral anatomy). Shaft 24 includes an outer shaft 32
and an inner rotating shaft (not visible in this Figure). When
actuator 17 is moved in a proximal direction relative to handle 14,
such as by squeezing the components together, the inner rotating
shaft rotates about a rotational (longitudinal) axis 34, causing
helical anchor 30, which is engaged with the inner rotating shaft
at tip 28, to rotate about the same axis 34 (which can also
coincide with a longitudinal axis of the helical anchor 30). Tool
10 of FIG. 1 can be designed as a "two-pull" driver, such that the
actuator 17 can be actuated or pulled proximally two (or optionally
more than two) times to produce a certain amount of rotational
movement of helical anchor 30 to drive it into tissue.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view of tool 10 to better show
an exemplary configuration of its components. As shown, the tool 10
further includes a cylindrical rider or barrel 40 having a notch 44
extending from its outer surface toward its longitudinal axis.
Notch 44 is engageable with an extendable (and retractable) latch
46 of actuator 17. Tool 10 further includes a proximal threaded
portion 42 of the inner rotating shaft, which is held proximally
and distally at bearings 60 and 62, and which extends through the
barrel 40. Extendable latch 46 is extendable and retractable by
movement of trigger 16 (e.g., proximally and distally,
respectively) relative to the body of actuator 17. Barrel 40
includes internal threads or another type of engagement structure
to facilitate engagement with external threads of threaded portion
42 to thereby allow for linear movement of rider 40 along threaded
portion 42 and cause rotation of the inner rotating shaft. It is
noted that the rotation can be clockwise or counter-clockwise,
depending on the design of the helical anchor.
[0054] FIG. 2 shows barrel 40 in one of its activation
configurations, wherein the barrel 40 is generally positioned at a
distal location of threaded portion 42, actuator 17 is positioned
at a forward location, and latch 46 is in a retracted position.
Latch 46 can optionally be spring-biased. Latch 46 is extendable
into notch 44 by movement of trigger 16 in a proximal direction.
When trigger 16 is moved in this manner, handle 14 will extend
latch 46 to engage with notch 44. Subsequent movement of actuator
17 in a proximal direction, as is shown in FIG. 3, causes barrel 40
to move proximally along threaded portion 42, thereby causing
rotation of the proximal threaded portion 42 and the inner rotating
shaft.
[0055] Actuator 17 can be biased to then move distally by releasing
pressure on it, such as can be caused by a spring or other
component that will move the actuator in a distal direction. Latch
46 is then retracted and moves distally, until it is adjacent to a
distal face 19 of barrel 40. Latch 46 can then be extended by
proximal movement of trigger 16 so that it comes into contact with
the distal face 19 of barrel 40, as is illustrated in FIG. 4.
Further movement of actuator 17 in a proximal direction will cause
barrel 40 to move further proximally along threaded portion 42,
thereby causing additional rotation of the inner rotating shaft and
associated anchor 30. Actuator 17 will then move further to a
proximal location, such as can be caused by a spring or other
component, for example. At this point, the trigger 16, which may be
spring-loaded, will be in the forward position and the anchor will
be driven into the target tissue. In order to reset the mechanism,
such as to deliver an additional anchor, one or more tabs that
extend from the outer surface of the barrel 40 can be pushed in a
distal direction, for example.
[0056] Another exemplary embodiment of an anchor insertion tool or
driver 110 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Driver 110 generally
includes a proximal portion 112, which includes a handle 114 and an
actuator 117. A shaft 124 extends from an end 120 of proximal
portion 112, wherein the shaft 124 comprises a proximal shaft end
122, a distal end 126, and tip 128. An exemplary helical anchor 130
is shown as being positioned for engagement with tip 128. The
length of shaft 124 is sufficient to allow a user to grasp and
manipulate handle 114 with shaft 124 to thereby place distal shaft
end 126, tip 128, and helical anchor 130 at a desired location,
such as at a location of a posterior pelvic region (e.g., to place
the distal shaft end at a location for placing helical anchor 130
at a component of sacral anatomy). Shaft 124 includes an outer
shaft 132 and an inner rotating shaft (not visible in this figure).
When actuator 117 is moved in a proximal direction relative to
handle 114, the inner rotating shaft rotates about a rotational
(longitudinal) axis 134, thereby causing helical anchor 130, which
is engaged with the inner rotating shaft at tip 128, to rotate
about the same axis 134 (which can also coincide with a
longitudinal axis of the helical anchor 130). Tool 110 of FIGS. 5-7
can be designed as a "one-pull" driver, meaning that actuator 117
can be actuated or pulled proximally relative to handle 114 a
single time, (e.g., one stroke produces a desired amount of
rotational movement of helical anchor 130 to drive it into
tissue).
[0057] FIG. 6 illustrates a cut-away view of tool 110 to better
show an exemplary configuration of its components, including
proximal end 112, handle 114, and actuator 117. FIG. 6 additionally
shows a cylindrical rider or barrel 140 attached to an upper end of
actuator 117 at an upper attachment area 146, which may be a slide
or a pivot, for example. A lower end of actuator 117 is attached to
a lower end of handle 114 at a lower attachment area 148, which
also may be a slide or a pivot. A proximal threaded portion 142 of
the inner rotating shaft is held proximally and distally at
bearings 160 and 162, respectively. FIG. 6 illustrates barrel 140
at its "start" position, where it is located at a generally distal
end of threaded portion 142. Barrel 140 includes internal threads
(or other structure, not shown) for engagement with external
threads of threaded portion 142 that allow linear movement of
barrel 140 along threaded portion 142 (e.g., in a proximal
direction), to cause rotation of the inner rotating shaft.
[0058] To activate the tool 110, actuator 117 can be moved
proximally relative to handle 114 by squeezing it toward the handle
114. This movement may involve pivoting movement, sliding movement,
or both pivoting and sliding movement at upper attachment 146
(between the upper end of actuator 117 and rider 140), and also at
lower attachment 148 (between the lower end of actuator 117 and
handle 114). Advantageously, a single movement or "stroke" of the
upper end of actuator 117 between the "start" position and a
"final" position (as shown in FIG. 7) can cause barrel 140 to
traverse the full length of threaded portion 142, causing an amount
of rotational movement of inner shaft 133 that is sufficient to
rotate a helical anchor (such as helical anchor 130, which is
engaged with tip 128) a sufficient number of rotations (e.g., from
1 to 10 rotations, such as from 2 to 5 rotations) to cause the
helical anchor to be fully driven into tissue. Thus, FIG. 7 can be
considered to show the "final" position of actuator 117 and barrel
140 at a proximal location of proximal end 112, which is how the
tool 110 will be configured after barrel 140 has been moved
proximally along the length of threaded portion 142 by a single
stroke of actuator 117 in a proximal direction.
[0059] Another exemplary embodiment of an anchor insertion tool or
driver 210 is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. Driver 210 generally
includes a proximal portion 212, which includes a handle 214 and an
actuator 217. A shaft 224 extends from an end 220 of proximal
portion 212, wherein the shaft 224 comprises a proximal shaft end
222, a distal end 226, and tip 228. An exemplary helical anchor 230
is shown as being positioned for engagement with tip 228. The
length of shaft 224 is sufficient to allow a user to grasp and
manipulate handle 214 with shaft 224 to thereby place distal shaft
end 226, tip 228, and helical anchor 230 at a desired location,
such as at a location of a posterior pelvic region (e.g., to place
the distal shaft end at a location for placing helical anchor 230
at a component of sacral anatomy). Shaft 224 includes an outer
shaft 232 and an inner rotating shaft (not visible in this figure).
When actuator 217 is moved in a proximal direction relative to
handle 214, inner rotating shaft 233 rotates about its rotational
(longitudinal) axis 234, thereby causing helical anchor 230, which
is engaged with the inner rotating shaft at tip 228, to rotate
about the same axis 234 (which can also coincide with the
longitudinal axis 234 of helical anchor 230). Tool 210 of FIGS.
8-10 can be designed to be a "one-pull" driver, such that actuator
217 can be actuated or pulled proximally relative to handle 214 a
single time to produce a desired amount of rotational movement of
helical anchor 230 to drive it into tissue.
[0060] FIG. 9 illustrates a cut-away view of tool 210 to better
show an exemplary configuration of its components, including
proximal end 212, handle 214, and actuator 217. FIG. 9 additionally
shows a cylindrical rider or barrel 240 attached through barrel
extension 245 to an upper end of actuator 217 at an upper
attachment area 246, which may be a slide or a pivot, for example.
A lower end of actuator 217 is attached to a lower end of handle
214 at a lower attachment area 248, which also may be a slide or a
pivot. A proximal threaded portion 242 of the inner rotating shaft
is held proximally and distally at bearings 260 and 262,
respectively. FIG. 9 illustrates barrel 240 at its "start"
position, where it is located at a generally distal end of threaded
portion 242. Barrel 240 includes internal threads (or other
structure, not shown) for engagement with external threads of
threaded portion 242 that allow linear movement of barrel 240 along
threaded portion 242 (e.g., in a proximal direction), to cause
rotation of the inner rotating shaft.
[0061] To activate the tool 210, actuator 217 can be moved
proximally relative to handle 214, such as can be accomplished by
squeezing these components together. This movement may involve
pivoting movement, sliding movement, or both pivoting and sliding
movement at upper attachment 246 (between the upper end of actuator
217 and barrel extension 245 of rider 240), and also at lower
attachment 248 (between the lower end of actuator 217 and handle
214). Advantageously, a single movement or "stroke" of the upper
end of actuator 217 between the "start" position and a "final"
position (as shown in FIG. 10) can cause rider 240 to traverse the
full length of threaded portion 242, causing an amount of
rotational movement of inner shaft 233 that is sufficient to rotate
a helical anchor (e.g., anchor 230, which is engaged with tip 228)
a sufficient number of rotations (e.g., from 1 to 10 rotations, or
from 2 to 5 rotations) to cause the helical anchor to be fully
driven into tissue. Thus, FIG. 10 can be considered to show the
"final" position of actuator 217 and barrel 240, at a proximal
location of proximal end 212, such as it can be positioned after
barrel 240 has been moved proximally along the length of threaded
portion 242 by a single stroke of actuator 217 in a proximal
direction.
[0062] The tool 210 can further include a slot that is part of the
engagement between the lower end of actuator 217 and a location at
a lower position of the handle 214. The slot can be curved, and
relatively vertical, having a shape that allows linear movement of
the upper end of actuator 217 in a proximal direction, while
engaging extension 245, which will result in linear, proximal
movement of rider 240.
[0063] Another embodiment of a driver is shown at FIG. 11, which is
a side view of an exemplary insertion tool or driver 302. Driver
302 includes a proximal end 312, which includes a palm grip 310 and
handle or actuator 314. Proximal end 312 engages a proximal end 322
of a shaft 324, which extends to a distal end 326 and a tip 328. A
helical anchor (not shown) can engage with the tip 328. The length
of shaft 324 is sufficient to allow a user to grasp and manipulate
proximal end 312 so that the distal shaft end 326, tip 328, and a
helical anchor will be positioned at a location of a posterior
pelvic region (e.g., to place the distal shaft end at a location
for placing an anchor at a component of sacral anatomy). Shaft 324
includes an outer shaft 332 and an inner rotating shaft 333. When
actuator 314 is moved in a proximal direction relative to palm grip
310, inner rotating shaft 333 rotates about its rotational
(longitudinal) axis, thereby causing a helical anchor engaged with
inner rotating shaft 333 at tip 328 to rotate about the same axis
(which can also coincide with the longitudinal axis of the helical
anchor).
[0064] Exemplary features of tool 302 include a shaft having a
twisted ribbon-like extension 340, along which actuator 314 can be
moved linearly to produce rotational movement of shaft 333.
Advantageously, the palm grip 310 and overall arrangement of
components at proximal end 312 can allow for a user to exert
constant pressure on a fixation site during use. Tool 302 can
optionally include an anti-reverse rotation mechanism such as a
ratcheting feature to prevent the helical anchor from being backed
out of a desired position. Tool 302 can further include two
clutches or coils, one of which is located between the shaft and
the twist ribbon, and the other of which is located between the
shaft and tube.
[0065] In operation, two clutches of the tool 302 can be useful to
drive an anchor into a desired location while keeping the tip 328
steady and allowing rotation in one direction. In one exemplary
method of using a tool of the invention, such as driving tool 302,
a user (e.g., a physician) can hold the tool 302 with the palm grip
310 resting in the palm of a hand, and then pull back on the handle
314 using his/her fingers. The handle will then slide down the
twist ribbon 340, which will rotate. One clutch will then engage
and drive the shaft to tighten the screw. The clutch between the
shaft and the tube will then engage and allow rotation. When the
handle reaches the end of its travel, the handle will move to its
original position. The clutch between the shaft and tube then
engages to prevent reverse rotation, and then the clutch between
the twist ribbon and shaft will disengage to allow rotation. When
the handle reaches the end of its travel, the process can be
repeated, if desired.
[0066] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a helical anchor 354 that
can be used with driver 302 or other tools shown or described
herein (e.g., tools designated by reference numbers 10, 110, 210,
302, 402, 502, and 600). Helical anchor 354 includes head 350,
which can engage a tip and rotating shaft of a tool. A helical
portion 352 extends from a surface of the head 350 and is in the
form of a screw, corkscrew, helical coil, open spiral, or the like,
having a tip that can enter tissue when helical anchor 354 is
rotated about a longitudinal axis 356 by a rotating shaft of a
driver. Tip 355 can be pointed or sharpened to function as a
leading edge upon entry into and passage through tissue.
[0067] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tool 402
that can be used for implanting a bone screw or anchor, which
includes at least certain general features as described elsewhere
herein, and additionally including a spring coil motor 430 that can
cause rotation of an inner rotating shaft. In particular, tool 402
includes a proximal end 412 having a handle 418, an actuator 414,
and a shaft 420 that includes a rotating shaft that can be rotated
by powered motor 430 located at a proximal end of the device.
Optionally, motor 430 can be engaged with the rotating shaft to
cause desired torque to drive a helical anchor and to control a
number of revolutions of the rotating shaft to an amount that
drives the helical anchor a desired depth, e.g., from 2 to 10
rotations, such as from 3 to 4 rotations, optionally 3.5 rotations.
The motor may further comprise a friction damper to control the
speed of rotation, and may optionally have a pulley ratio that
functions in the generally range of 3.5:1, although the ratio can
be higher or lower than this ratio. In addition, the proximal end
412 of the tool 402 may include two holes in its outer casing,
where one of these holes prevents over rotation if the actuator 414
is held down (i.e., activated), and the second hole allows an
operator to initiate the fixation process.
[0068] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tool 502
that can be used for implanting a bone screw or anchor, which
includes at least certain general features as described elsewhere
herein, and additionally including a torsion spring that is used to
cause rotation of an inner rotating shaft and thereby drive a
helical anchor into soft tissue. Tool 502 includes a torsion spring
housing 504, a proximal end 512 having a handle 518, an actuator
514, and a shaft 520 that includes a rotating shaft that can be
rotated by a torsion spring 530 that is located at a proximal end
of the device. The actuator 514 can be used both to unlock the
device for actuation and to allow a coil to drive the anchor as a
plunger 516 is pulled forward. In this way, a desired torque will
drive a helical anchor and control a number of revolutions of the
rotating shaft to an amount that drives the helical anchor a
desired depth, e.g., from 2 to 10 rotations, such as from 3 to 4
rotations, optionally 3.5 rotations.
[0069] Another embodiment of a driver 600 is illustrated in FIG.
15, which includes proximal end a 612, which includes a handle 614
and a moveable actuator or "plunger" 617. Proximal end 612 engages
a proximal end of a shaft 624, which extends to a distal end 626
and a tip 628. A helical anchor can engage with tip 628. The length
of shaft 624 is sufficient to allow a user to grasp and manipulate
the proximal end 612 to thereby place distal shaft end 626, tip
628, and helical anchor at a location of a posterior pelvic region
(e.g., to place the distal shaft end at a location for placing the
helical anchor at a component of sacral anatomy). Shaft 624
includes an outer shaft 632 and an inner rotating shaft. When
actuator 617 is moved in a proximal direction relative to handle
614, a barrel 640 moves distally along a threaded portion 642,
producing rotational movement of the rotating inner shaft about its
rotational (longitudinal) axis and consequently causing the helical
anchor to rotate about the same axis (which can coincide with the
longitudinal axis of the helical anchor).
[0070] A driver 600, as illustrated, can provide manually driven
motion for rotationally inserting a helical anchor into a desired
location. The driver can convert axial linear motion of actuator
617 into rotational motion of shaft, which can be useful for
screwing a helical fixation element into soft tissue. The distal
end can optionally provide for shielding the helical anchor at the
distal end (tip) during delivery, to ensure sterility. The driver
can also optionally be equipped with a mechanism to easily re-load
and deliver additional helical anchors. The driver can also
optionally include a mechanism for temporarily locking the device
once delivery (screwing, rotational movement) is completed so as to
prevent the user from unscrewing the helical anchor from an
installed location.
[0071] Tools as described can be useful to place a helical anchor,
which may be any anchor having a helical feature that can be driven
into tissue by rotation around an axis, to thereafter support an
implant. FIG. 16 shows an example of a helical anchor 860
incorporating a screw (e.g., a molded screw) that can be inserted
by rotation into tissue in one direction, and includes an
anti-rotation feature to prevent reverse rotation. The
anti-rotation features lock on a mesh implant (not shown),
preventing the anchor from reverse rotation that would allow the
anchor to move out of the tissue. In specific, anchor 860 includes
screw head 866, a slot 864 to allow rotation, a helical screw (or
"coil") 862, and at least one anti-rotation hook or barb 868 on the
underside of screw head 866. By rotating anchor 860 in a direction
to drive screw 862 into tissue, hooks or barbs 868 are brought to
contact a surface of the tissue or an implant material held to the
tissue by the anchor. Barbs 868 can be any
counter-rotation-preventive structure located on the underside of
screw head 866 to prevent counter-rotation, and may in preferred
embodiments include a tapered profile with a sharp or enlarged
trailing edge 869 that inhibits movement in a direction that is the
reverse of the direction used to drive screw 862 into tissue.
[0072] An embodiment of another anchor that can be used in
accordance with the drivers of the invention is illustrated in FIG.
17. A helical fixation element (anchor) 908 can be used for
fixation of a helical screw or coil portion 910 and cap 912 to
tissue prior to attaching the implant (e.g., mesh). Anchor 908 can
further provide for a manner of double checking by the operator of
a fixation strength prior to attaching an implant, along with a
greater degree of coil location control in tissue (when using more
than one coil) due to the number of pores in the mesh. In addition,
anchor 908 can be used for electrocautery because the driver is on
the outside of the coil portion 910 and can make contact with coil
portion 910, and the prong feature 914 of the cap 912 can prevent
coil portion 910 from backing out by locking onto the mesh.
[0073] The placement, depth, and degree of strength of placement of
anchor 908 can be tested and if desired, the anchor 908 can be
removed and repositioned to another location. After the integrity
and position of anchor 908 is satisfactory, an aperture of an
implant (e.g., mesh) can be placed over cap 912 to secure the
implant to cap 912, anchor 908, and the tissue. Due to the
configuration and functionality of cap 912, cap 912 can be made
smaller or larger than coil portion 910. Regardless, the cap can
secure to an implant through an aperture. In addition, the operator
can see the engagement of anchor 908 with tissue, with greater
ease, because the amount of material in the working area when
completing the procedure is reduced by not including the implant.
Various materials, such as stainless steel, polyurethane,
polycarbonate, polypropylene and like materials can be used to
produce the structures or components thereof.
[0074] The various systems, apparatus, and methods detailed herein
are envisioned for use with known implant and repair systems or
improvements thereof (e.g., for male and female), including those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,500,945, 7,407,480, 7,351,197,
7,347,812, 7,303,525, 7,025,063, 6,691,711, 6,648,921, and
6,612,977, International Patent Publication Nos. WO 2008/057261, WO
2007/097994, WO 2007/149348, WO 2009/017680, and U.S. Patent
Publication Nos. 2002/151762, 2010/0174134, 2010/0298630,
2002/0028980, 2006/0069301, and 2002/147382, and International
Application number PCT/U.S.10/62577 (filed Dec. 30, 2010).
Accordingly, the above-identified disclosures are fully
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0075] An implant for placement by use of the described tools,
methods, and helical anchors, and their various components,
structures, features, materials and methods may have a number of
suitable configurations as shown and described in the
previously-incorporated references or as described herein or
elsewhere. Various methods and tools for introducing, deploying,
anchoring, and manipulating implants to treat incontinence,
prolapse, or another pelvic condition, as disclosed in the
previously-incorporated references are envisioned for possible
adapted use with devices and methods described herein.
[0076] An implant for use as described herein can include any
structural features useful for a desired treatment, including any
desired size, shape, and optional features such as adjustability.
Any of these features may be previously known, or described in
documents incorporated herein, or as described herein, for any
particular implant and method. An implant that includes or is
otherwise secured by an anchor as described, using a tool
("driver") as described, might be useful to treat any type of
pelvic condition in a male or a female patient; as a single and
non-limiting example, an implant that includes or uses a helical
anchor can be used in an abdominal, laparoscopic, or transvaginal
SCP procedure to provide support to a vaginal cuff, through an
implant that includes the anchor, the anchor being attached at a
region of sacral anatomy such as a sacral ligament (e.g., anterior
longitudinal ligament, a.k.a. the "anterior ligament" or
"longitudinal ligament").
[0077] The disclosed systems, their various components, structures,
features, materials and methods may have a number of suitable
configurations as shown and described in the
previously-incorporated references. Various methods and tools for
introducing, deploying, anchoring and manipulate device, implants,
and the like as disclosed in the previously-incorporated references
are envisioned for use with the present invention as well.
[0078] All patents, patent applications, and publications cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if
individually incorporated, and include those references
incorporated within the identified patents, patent applications and
publications.
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